More Stable Airlines Fly Out of Mergers

Fliers Poised to Benefit From Greater Investments, Stability

By

Susan Carey,

Jack Nicas And

Mike Spector

Updated Feb. 11, 2013 7:23 p.m. ET

The U.S. airline industry is starting to fly high again.

An expected merger agreement this week between AMR Corp.'s American Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. could end the latest chapter on consolidation that has helped to stabilize an industry troubled for decades.

The $10 billion-plus deal would follow three other industry megamergers since 2008, a period of consolidation that has produced a healthier industry with the...